Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer. ITALERI 96531

Designed on the basis of the reliable and proven mechanics of the Czechoslovak-origin Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) tank, it began to be produced in the second half of 1943 to provide the German army with a light tank destroyer characterized by a low profile, good frontal armor, and effective firepower ensured by the use of a 7.5 cm gun mounted in a closed casemate. Other important factors that dictated its development were limited production costs and the speed and ease with which the tank destroyers could be mass-produced. The Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer entered service in the second half of 1944 and proved extremely effective and deadly, above all because of its low silhouette, which made it difficult to detect when well camouflaged, even against the most powerful Allied vehicles.